Atheists Helping

Atheists Helping the Homeless Washington DC (AHHDC)

Welcome!

AHHDC addresses an unmet humanitarian need by collecting and distributing items such as toiletries, clothing, backpacks, feminine hygiene products, and shelf-stable food directly to anyone who asks – primarily people with no permanent homes of their own.

This is an innovative approach to assist the unhoused in our community (the Washington DC region).

Community Outreach & Services

Whether stocking a local pantry or rebuilding after disasters, effective outreach starts with listening. We share frameworks and tools for programs that meet people where they are and leave them strong.

Community Fundraising

Impact thrives when heart meets strategy. Dive into donor journeys, ethical storytelling, recurring-gift models, and creative events that keep the mission moving and supporters inspired.

Volunteer Voices

Behind every milestone stand volunteers, mentors, medics, coders, cooks, each with a story worth sharing. Celebrate their win and discover ways to recruit, train, and retain passionate teammates.

Our Mission is to Help People

The mission of AHHDC is to offer non-believers a way to help people in need in their communities without having to align with or endorse a religion or spiritual worldview.

We were established in 2021 in Maryland by a local atheist who saw a need for a secular charity, and we have been working to provide one ever since

Our main charity work involves distributing portable and durable goods (e.g., hygiene items, backpacks, flashlights, and gently used clothes) directly to people gathering at homeless shelters in the area

We operate strictly on a volunteer basis, with almost no overhead – all donations we receive will go straight toward purchasing items to be handed out at our events

Though our group is explicitly non-religious, and a guiding principle is welcoming, supporting, and promoting acceptance of secularism among our community, we do not discuss our beliefs with clients at our events unless they ask – when we are working, our only goal is to help

Objectives for 2025

AHHDC currently has a grant to purchase socks, backpacks, gloves, and flashlights.

In addition, we have private donations through which we purchase other goods, such as toiletries and non-perishable food, and we are also frequently gifted items for distribution such as clothes and blankets.

Our goals for 2025 are:

Continue holding monthly distribution events, and hand out as many supplies as possible
Further understand the needs of our clientele and community through direct communication with people at our events
Search for additional funding opportunities
Increase outreach to the secular community in the Washington, DC region, through meetups, social media, and updating our website

You can join us in working towards our mission!

You can help us by coming to a distribution event, or contributing funds to purchase items through the Donate page.

Alternatively, if you have any extra things to give, items we find useful and valuable include: antiperspirants, backpacks, bar soap, bedding, deodorant, face masks, flashlights, gloves, lip balm, nail clippers, toothbrushes, underwear, and non-perishable food.

Transparency & Stewardship

We treat every donation, whether it’s a single coin in a collection jar or a seven-figure grant, with the same rigorous care. Detailed impact reports, quarterly independent audits, and real-time project dashboards allow supporters to trace each dollar from receipt to result.

By publishing success metrics and setbacks side-by-side, we make room for honest dialogue, faster course-corrections, and deeper trust between our team, our partners, and the communities we serve.

Inclusive Collaboration

Sustainable change only happens when those most affected help design the solution. Before launching any program we convene listening circles, translate materials into local languages, and invite community leaders, youth advocates, and elders to co-create project goals.

We also forge cross-sector partnerships, pairing NGOs with small businesses, universities, and faith groups, because diverse expertise sparks innovation and ensures that our programs respect cultural context while scaling effectively. .

Lifelong Service

Charity is not a single event; it’s a lifelong rhythm of empathy in action. We nurture that rhythm through mentorship pipelines and hands-on training that equip volunteers to grow from one-time helpers into seasoned servant-leaders. Workshops on trauma-informed care and systemic advocacy empower people to address root causes, not just symptoms.

By celebrating service milestones and providing ongoing educational resources, we foster a global network committed to transforming compassion into enduring, generational impact.

In-person Volunteer Opportunities

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Get Involved with AHHDC!
Atheists Helping the Homeless, DC (AHHDC) is always excited for new help.

Everyone is welcome – all that is required is a willingness to make life better for those in need.

Frank Wilson

Founder & Board Chair

Long-time advocate and volunteer dedicated to linking resources with people who need them most. When he isn’t coordinating strategy, he’s packing supply kits for the next outreach trip.